Crisis Center: A Call To Action For Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The following was submitted by the Crisis Center For South Suburbia

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In Illinois, one in three women and one in four men are victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence can impact anyone; it knows no boundaries or limitations. It’s all about exerting power and control over another person, and it’s never OK.

This past May, a 17-year-old high school senior girl from Tinley Park lost her life to domestic violence, allegedly at the hands of her abusive father. Recently, four people were shot and killed in an Oak Forest home. Oak Forest police confirmed that they had responded to multiple domestic violence incidents in that home at least six times in the last few years, most recently responding to a domestic violence incident, just weeks prior to the murders.

These incidents happened locally, but incidents like these happen every day across the country. Nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the U.S. The Crisis Center for South Suburbia is working harder than ever to prevent these tragedies from happening. Its current 35-bed emergency shelter is typically at capacity, and the organization is in the process of expanding to meet the growing need for emergency shelter and other supportive services here in the south suburbs.

The Crisis Center has planned a series of events throughout October to increase awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence, educate the community, and get information on services to those in need in our community.

“It’s more important than ever to let people know how common domestic violence is and that help is just a phone call away,” said Crisis Center Board President, Jennifer Kanacki. Last year, the Crisis Center answered over 1,300 calls, a 30% increase from the previous year.

The Crisis Center is raising awareness by kicking off the Purple Posse Challenge, a social media challenge, to raise awareness for domestic violence. Participants are asked to wear purple, post a selfie or photo of themselves on social media holding a sign that says, “I wear purple because…”, and tag the Crisis Center for South Suburbia. “We are hoping people jump on board and take the challenge,” said Lorri Nagle, Director of Development, “Much like the ice bucket challenge for ALS, the goal of the Purple Posse Challenge is simply to bring awareness and shed light on domestic violence and the resources out there in our communities.”

Last year, the Crisis Center for South Suburbia provided over 28,000 hours of services and directly impacted over 2,000 domestic violence survivors. The Crisis Center provides free services including a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, housing, counseling, advocacy, prevention, and education. For more information on Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities, or how you can be a lifeline for a victim of domestic violence, call (708) 429-7255 or visit www.crisisctr.org. If you or someone you love is a victim of domestic violence, call our hotline at (708) 429-SAFE (7233).